ready to work with mining companies

THE GOVERNMENT WAS READY TO WORK WITH MINING COMPANIES TO BUILD A MINING INDUSTRY THAT IS RESURGENT, RESILIENT AND IS ABLE TO FUNCTION SUCCESSFULLY

CAPE TOWN (Xinhua) -- South African Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu on Tuesday said the government would introduce a “resource tax” on mining companies so as to better compete with other major mining countries.

“We’ve got to compete with Australia and Canada. So if there are any taxes which must be implemented we must be mindful,” the minister told delegates attending the Investing in African Mining Indaba conference, which kicked off on Monday and will run until Thursday in Cape Town.

The government has been mulling over a proposal put forward by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to impose resource tax instead of nationalizing mines.

But Shabangu did not say how the government would enforce the tax regime.

She said her ministry would review the proposal “on a regular basis.”

“They (taxes) are not static because they’ve got to respond to global challenges, but also they have got to respond to the needs of a country.”

Shabangu assured that the government was committed to making South Africa a “destination of choice” for mining companies, including those in the platinum industry.

“We are looking at how best do we ensure as partners of government, labor, and the companies, what are the mechanisms that will mitigate the challenges faced by the mining industry.”

She said the government was ready to work with mining companies so as to build a mining industry that “is resurgent, resilient and is able to function successfully to its full realizable potential. “

She was speaking amid rising tension between the government and certain major mining companies accused by the government of disrespecting the regulatory framework.

Last month, the Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), the world’s top platinum producer, announced plans to lay off 14,000 workers as part of its restructuring maneuver, a move that has irritated the government.

But Sabangu said she was confident such tension would be defused through dialogues.

“I am happy and satisfied that we are talking to Amplats, and it is going to yield positive results,” Shabangu told reporters after opening the conference which is bringing together thousands of representatives from the mining sector and the government.

“We understand the pain faced by the platinum sector; we are part of it as government, as a country, and we need to find lasting solutions among ourselves.

“It is not their problem, it is our problem as a whole, as a country, and we have to share that problem in finding a common solution in that.”

She urged mining companies to continue respecting the regulatory framework instead of neglecting the government when making important decisions.

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Global mining leaders gather in Cape Town

CAPE TOWN (Xinhua) -- Global mining leaders gathered in Cape Town to attend the Investing in African Mining Indaba (conference) which kicked off on Monday and will run until Thursday.

The event, now in its 19th year, is the largest in its history, with more than 7,500 delegates from around the world, organizers said.

The mining indaba are bringing together ministers, executives from mining companies and foreign investors and other professionals critical in the mining value chain, providing all delegates with opportunities for an unparalleled week of deal- making and discovery.

Africa is one of the world’s major mining frontiers, rich in vital resources such as coal, manganese and iron ore.

The growth of the mining indaba has brought significant revenue to the local economy – in 2012 delegates occupied more than 40 local hotels, and spent an estimated seven million rand (795,000 U. S. dollars) on shopping, tourism and restaurants. This year the organisers are expecting that expenditure mark to be exceeded.

In line with its agenda of aligning itself with the transformative policies of the South African government, and contributing to the advancement of the country’s mining industry, the conference has this year offered bursaries to two deserving mining engineering students.

The bursaries, valued at US$10,000 each, have been awarded to two fourth-year students: Lindiwe Nyalunga at Wits University, and Hlulisani Mabege at the University of Pretoria.

Key speakers at this year’s conference will include South African Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu and newly appointed Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifan; South African Minister in the Presidency – National Planning Commission, Dambisa Moyo,and Mamphela Ramphele, chairman of Gold Fields.

For the first time, Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille will be welcoming the delegates to the city. Both parties believe that the partnership will enhance the entire experience for the delegates and further highlight the world-class destination as is Cape Town